Nearly 100 Canadian veterans have recently been asked to repay tens of thousands of dollars in benefits, some of which date back more than five years. The notices come from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), which claims the veterans failed to report additional income, including payments from the Canada Pension Plan.
Since October, VAC has sent at least 90 letters to veterans receiving the Income Replacement Benefit. The letters state that these individuals owe money because of unreported income. Many veterans, however, say they had reported all changes in income and were previously assured by the department that their records were accurate and up to date.
One Navy veteran, Angus Cameron, who regularly supports veterans coping with service-related challenges, described the situation as alarming. “I’ve never seen so many veterans suddenly receiving overpayment letters — some amounting to thousands of dollars,” he said.
A veteran from New Brunswick reported receiving a notice indicating he owes over $65,000 for benefits dating back to April 2019. Another veteran in Quebec faces nearly $70,000 in repayment, including a first installment of $3,600 due this month, after being informed that his disability income “did not count.”
Advocates and veteran support groups have criticized VAC’s handling of these repayments. They argue that veterans should not be forced to repay money when departmental errors may have caused the issue. Some suggest implementing annual reviews of benefits to prevent debts from accumulating over several years.
Experts also warn that the complexity of VAC’s system can place vulnerable veterans at risk, particularly those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other service-related health issues. Cameron emphasized the need for a more compassionate approach, stating, “Veterans deserve understanding and support, not sudden bills that could add to their stress.”
The recent wave of repayment notices highlights ongoing concerns about administrative processes at Veterans Affairs Canada and the potential financial and emotional impact on the country’s former service members.
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